Temperature Effects and Molecules That React

We can investigate the role of temperature in kinetics by referring to the most useful model for describing the motion of molecules—the kinetic-molecular theory. Let s consider the events that lead to a chemical reaction between two gas-phase molecules. (The same ideas apply to reactions involving solids and liquids, too. The gas-phase case is just easier for us to discuss.) 

More specifically, the activated complex is the highest energy point along the minimum ener path to products. 

The activation energy is sometimes called an activation barrier because on a graph like this it looks like a barrier that the reactants must overcome to produce products. 

Reaction progress is a measure of the extent of bond breaking and forming as a reaction proceeds. 

If an 0 atom strikes the nitrogen end of an N2O molecule, it cannot react to form molecular oxygen. 

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